April's tepid hiring gain might not signal a sustained pullback. Job growth slumped has recently as January only to snap back in the following months.

Last month, job growth fell sharply in retail, construction and government, and remained weak in manufacturing. Retailers shed 3,100 jobs, down from an average gain of 52,500 in the first three months of the year. Construction hiring slipped to 1,000 from an average of 24,000, and government shed 11,000 after adding an average of 16,000 in the first quarter.

Job gains in higher-paid industries, such as management consulting and computer systems, picked up from March.

Growth has sagged in the past six months as slower economies overseas and a stronger dollar cut into U.S. exports of factory goods. Low oil and gas prices have also caused energy companies to sharply curtail the construction of new rigs, lowering overall business spending.

Consumers have also been cautious, boosting their savings from lower gas prices and increased hiring.